Senior People & Culture Business Partner

Strategic Workforce Planning & Organisational Development

• Partner with senior leaders to develop workforce strategies aligned to organisational priorities.
• Support the development of workforce planning activities including succession planning, critical role identification, capability assessments, and workforce risk management.
• Analyse workforce trends and provide recommendations to support strategic decision-making.
• Drive initiatives that strengthen organisational capability, employee engagement, leadership effectiveness, and culture.
• Support organisational design reviews and change management activities.

Employee & Industrial Relations

• Management of complex and sensitive employee relations matters.
• Provide advice on industrial relations, legislation, enterprise agreements, awards, and employment obligations.
• Partner with leaders to proactively identify and mitigate people-related risks.
• Prepare management level reports and recommendations relating to employee relations matters.

Leadership Coaching & Capability Development

• Coach and influence senior leaders in effective people management practices.
• Within P&C design and deliver leadership development initiatives.
• Build leadership capability in performance management, workforce planning, employee engagement, and change leadership.
• Act as a trusted advisor on organisational culture and leadership effectiveness.

Change Management & Projects

• Lead significant People & Culture projects from design through implementation.
• Facilitate organisational change initiatives and workforce transitions.
• Develop change management plans, communication strategies, and stakeholder engagement approaches.
• Evaluate project outcomes and recommend continuous improvement opportunities.

Team Leadership & Mentoring

• Provide mentoring, guidance, and technical expertise to People & Culture team.
• Support capability development within the People & Culture team.
• Contribute to succession planning and workforce capability within the People & Culture function.
• Act as a senior escalation point for complex HR matters.

Key Selection Criteria

Essential

• Degree qualification in Human Resources, Industrial Relations, Employment Law, Business, or related discipline
• Minimum 5-7 years' experience in a senior HR Business Partner, Senior People & Culture Partner, or equivalent role.
• Demonstrated experience partnering with senior leaders and executives.
• Advanced knowledge of Australian employment law, industrial relations frameworks, awards, and enterprise agreements.
• Proven experience managing complex employee relations matters, workplace investigations, and organisational change.
• Demonstrated experience leading workforce planning and organisational development initiatives.
• Strong leadership, coaching, influencing, and stakeholder management capability.
• Proven ability to analyse workforce data and translate insights into strategic recommendations.
• Experience leading People & Culture projects and driving organisational improvement.
• Excellent written communication skills including preparation of executive reports, submissions, and recommendations

Desirable

• Experience within community services, education, early childhood education, or not-for-profit sectors.
• Formal qualifications in coaching, mediation, leadership development, or organisational development.
• Experience leading HRIS implementation or transformation projects.

For a more detailed explanation of the role's responsibilities, please read the attached position description.

About Y Ballarat
At Y Ballarat, we believe in the power of inspired young people. As a leading not-for-profit organisation, we deliver programs and services that empower children, young people and families, while strengthening the communities that support them to grow, learn and thrive.
At our Ballarat main office, we provide and support services across key areas of

• Early Years
• Outside School Hours Care (OSHC)
• Youth and Community Services
• Swim School

As the largest kindergarten provider in Victoria, we welcome more than 3,500 families to our services each week, making a meaningful difference in the lives of children and young people every day.
Our Commitment to Child Safety
The young people we work with have told us that to feel inspired, they must first feel safe. At Y Ballarat, the safety, wellbeing and empowerment of children and young people is at the heart of everything we do. We are committed to creating environments where all children and young people are respected, valued and protected.
Our Purpose and Values
Our Vision
A better world, with and for young people.
Our Belief
We believe in the power of inspired young people.
Our Values

• Belonging
• Excellence
• Honesty
• Nurturing
• Respect

When you join Y Ballarat, you'll become part of a passionate and purpose-driven organisation dedicated to helping young people reach their full potential and creating stronger, more connected communities.

For further information please contact Leah Shillito 03 4311 1530

A senior strategic HR professional who partners with leaders to drive workforce performance, organisational capability, employee engagement, and culture. The role provides expert advice on employee and industrial relations, workforce planning, change management, and leadership development, while supporting the delivery of People & Culture initiatives that enable organisational success.